VETERAN guard Russell Westbrook has requested to be traded out of Houston Rockets this offseason just a year after being shipped to the team from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium on Thursday, Westbrook made the demand due to his desire to return to his “floor general role” just like when he was still with Thunder.
“Westbrook has informed team officials that he has been uneasy about the team’s accountability and culture, and has a desire to return to his prior, floor-general role in Oklahoma City,” the report said.
In a separate report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook and James Harden had shared their “concern about the direction of the franchise” following its offseason changes.
Stephen Silas is now the new head coach of the Rockets following the resignation of Mike D’Antoni, who now serve as an assistant coach to Steve Nash at Brooklyn Nets.
Houston also has a new general manager in Rafael Stone after Daryl Morey decided to move to Philadelphia 76ers.
The 31-year-old Westbrook, who was acquired from the Thunder last season for veteran guard Chris Paul and future draft picks, still has three years and $132.6 million remaining on his contract.
Westbrook averaged 27.2 points per game for the Rockets last season, second to Harden in the team. He, however, led Houston with 7.9 rebounds per game.
Prior to Westbrook’s trade request, it was reported by The Ringer that Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks are interested to acquire the veteran guard’s services.
Meanwhile, Charania also reported that Harden did not make the same trade request and is “locked in” to the Rockets for the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association Season beginning Dec. 22.
He added that Rockets owner Tilman Feritta still plans on contending even with the absence of D’Antoni and Morey by “building a title contender around James Harden.”/PN
